Deputy Secretary‑General Honours Extraordinary Achievements of Secretary‑General Awards Recipients, Finalists, at New York Ceremony

Following are UN Deputy Secretary‑General Amina Mohammed’s remarks, as prepared for delivery, at the UN Secretary-General awards ceremony, in New York today:

It is a great pleasure to celebrate the finalists of this year’s United Nations Secretary-General Awards.  Let me begin by conveying the warm greetings of the Secretary-General.  As you know, he is in the Central African Republic to mark United Nations day with peacekeepers and staff.

He asked me to personally extend his congratulations to all the winners and thanks to all the finalists for the wonderful initiatives and ideas they have contributed to our Organization.

The quality of the shortlisted projects and achievements confirms that you, the staff of the United Nations, are the most important resource of this Organization.  Your hard work and dedication enable the United Nations to help people all over the world.  Your participation also helps us to reform and keep pace with evolving demands and a changing world.

Each year, we honour staff members who have been nominated for extraordinary achievements.  This year, the Awards are presented in four categories:  Innovation and Creativity; Implementing Efficiencies; Achieving Gender Equality and Parity; and Champion of the Sustainable Development Goals.

More than 120 nominations were submitted from all over the global Secretariat.  All projects that made the shortlist are inspiring and deserve to be honoured.  I ask all the finalists, whether in this chamber or joining by video, to stand and be recognized.

Once again, on behalf of the Secretary‑General, I express tremendous gratitude for your commitment.  Congratulations to all of you.